Peter B. Hodges

Light in the Labyrinth

Theology

“I am excited to introduce the students in my World Religions course to Constantino Vincent Riccardi's book, Light in the Labyrinth. I chose it as a text to present the Christian experience. It is excellent for my purposes. Riccardi offers the story of the Labyrinth at Crete, including extensive character development and alternative versions, as a metaphor for the Christian predicament. Riccardi then unpacks Calvin's analysis of the human soul's degeneration following original sin, to suggest the labyrinthian nature of the human soul and the Western world. Finally, and what only adds to the brilliance of the text as a teaching tool, Riccardi presents four original dramatic plays that illuminate the conscience as the avenue, community justice as the goal, and belief in a power for compassion outside oneself for providing light in the labyrinth.”